The following members gave demonstrations of various FUN ways of addressing mail:
Shirley DeHart - An alphabet variation was shown using a fineline applicator, a tool used often by artist Laurie Doctor. Gum arabic in various amounts, is used to “thicken” the ink in the applicator. Envelope paper can be tested for bleeding in the stamp position. Gum sandarac or spray fixatives can be used to prevent bleeding.
Ellen Simon - Techniques presented by Ellen were: (1) using fresh bleach instead of ink, on colored paper for contrast and design, (2) making a “swish” mark across envelope and writing name above swish using brush pens, gray brush marker for shadow, sparkle pens, several color inks. She also demonstrated how to use two colors of ink in a parallel pen by dropping a different color ink/paint in each side, slightly dipping tip in water, then lettering allowing colors to blend.
Kathy Laporte - Suggestions included making a liner for envelopes, placing a seal on envelope, stickers placed on envelopes can be embellished with your own strokes such as lines, flowers, stars, dots, etc. She enjoys using Wink of Stella pen. Regular handwriting can be enhanced to give appearance of copperplate.
Julia Fish Thompson - Julia showed us an envelope with one word of name spanning the envelope in a gradient . She said this was accomplished by planning first in pencil and then placing a letter on alternate sides of envelope and evenly working remaining letters towards the center,touching the tip of the second color of brush marker to the tip of the first color and then the tip of the third color to the second.
Margaret Lowry - Margaret is part of Trader Joe’s sign team. Our demonstration included making wide letters (wide tool) on an envelope then outlining with black lines. Other suggestions were: (1) use lighter ink/paint colors first then embellish, (2) Prisma markers (about $3) are very versatile (3) use lots of “dots”, (4) Wink of Stella glitter pens are great, (5) a personal favorite is “manuscript calligraphy pen in creative italic”
